Chapter 9: Mi Zhen—This Young Master Xiao Is Truly Extraordinary...

Capturing Xu Sheng alive? What audacity! Mi Fang and the others thought it best to hold the fortress walls and wait for Xu Sheng to retreat on his own. But you, Xiao Fang, from the start insisted on capturing him alive! Are the people of Jingzhou all this arrogant?

“Young Master Xiao... how do you plan to capture Xu Sheng alive?” Jian Yong suppressed his emotions and asked tentatively.

All eyes turned to the young lord of Jingzhou, including Mi Zhen, whose almond-shaped eyes brimmed with curiosity as she fixed her gaze on Xiao Fang.

“Xu Sheng came by sea, so he must have warships docked along the coast,” Xiao Fang said, borrowing Wei Yan’s sword to sketch a simple map on the ground before laying out his plan.

“To catch him, first we must cut off his escape route! I suspect Xu Sheng underestimates the Mi family and will concentrate most of his troops attacking the fortress walls, leaving few soldiers guarding the ships on the beach.”

“Mi Gongzi, you take a squad along the northern coastline, strike behind the enemy, and set all their warships ablaze.”

“Once the ships are burned, the enemy’s retreat is blocked. Though they may outnumber us, their morale will collapse without a way out.”

“Mr. Sun and Mr. Jian, each of you lead a dozen men, carrying banners and beating drums on the enemy’s flanks to feign reinforcements from the main army.”

“Wen Chang, you lead all troops to break out from the fortress walls at the critical moment when the enemy’s morale shatters, and strike to rout them decisively!”

Xiao Fang’s meticulous deployment left everyone dumbfounded. After a moment, Sun Qian and the others regained composure, their faces glowing with admiration.

“Exploiting Xu Sheng’s arrogance, first cutting off his retreat, then using bluff to confuse the enemy, and finally turning defense into offense to crush them all at once.”

“Yes, Young Master Xiao’s strategy truly embodies the essence of military art.”

“I’m impressed!” Sun Qian clicked his tongue, bowing respectfully to Xiao Fang in recognition.

“Since no one objects, let us proceed with our separate tasks,” Xiao Fang smiled lightly, then turned to Wei Yan.

“Wen Chang, I know you can kill Xu Sheng, but he is a valuable general—do not kill him. Remember, capture him alive!”

Wei Yan pouted but respectfully saluted, “If Young Lord Jinglue commands, I will spare his life and capture him alive.”

Everyone obeyed Xiao Fang’s orders and set off. Meanwhile, Zhuge Liang switched to scholar mode, hastily taking out bamboo slips to record Xiao Fang’s troop deployment for careful study later.

Only Mi Zhen remained standing still, eyes fixed on Xiao Fang.

“This Young Master Xiao seems rather clever. I wonder about his background, and why my second brother and the others trust him so completely?”

Her bright eyes sparkled with curiosity, lost momentarily in thought.

---

When Xiao Fang’s gaze finally met hers, their eyes locked.

Mi Zhen suddenly realized her lapse in manners, a faint blush rising on her cheeks as she hurriedly turned to leave.

“Ouch!” As she turned, she accidentally pulled her injured arm, letting out a sharp breath of pain.

Earlier, she had fallen dodging an arrow and hurt her arm.

“Sister-in-law, it seems Miss Mi is hurt. Do you want to take a look?” Zhuge Liang, ever perceptive, whispered to Xiao Fang.

Xiao Fang had noticed too. Since he would be staying at the Mi residence for a while, he could not feign ignorance.

“I have some knowledge of medicine. Miss Mi, may I examine your injury?”

He stepped forward calmly to stand before her.

Mi Zhen, a wealthy heiress who often managed her family’s affairs and was well-traveled, quickly composed herself.

Seeing Xiao Fang’s concern, she told him the truth.

“It’s probably dislocated. Orthopedics isn’t my strong suit, but I’ll try.”

Without waiting for her consent, Xiao Fang gently took her delicate hand in one of his, supporting her slender arm with the other.

Mi Zhen’s heart thumped wildly, her cheeks flushing anew. Just as she had calmed down, this sudden touch stirred ripples within her again.

Though the Han era was enlightened, there remained propriety between men and women.

This Young Master Xiao—without a word—grabbing her hand so abruptly was rather bold.

“Young Master Xiao—” Mi Zhen frowned, about to withdraw her hand.

Suddenly, Xiao Fang applied a firm maneuver.

“Crack!”

A muffled sound.

Pain shot through Mi Zhen’s arm, and she instinctively leaned forward, her cheek resting on Xiao Fang’s shoulder.

The pain was brief; soon she realized her dislocated arm was back in place.

She moved it lightly—no pain, free to move as normal.

Her furrowed brows instantly relaxed, her lovely face brightening with surprise.

Then she suddenly realized she was still leaning against him, her cheek pressed to his shoulder.

She shivered and quickly pushed herself upright.

“Young Master Xiao, you are skilled in medicine. Thank you so much.”

She bowed low in gratitude, her cheeks colored like a rosy dawn, a mix of embarrassment and gratefulness fluttering her heart.

“It was nothing, Miss Mi. No need to be so formal.”

Xiao Fang remained calm and composed.

After all, being from the future and also a doctor, such brief contact did not faze him.

---

Just as Mi Zhen bit her lip, unsure how to ease the awkwardness—

“The enemy is retreating!”

“Look, the beach is on fire!”

From atop the fortress walls, the Mi family soldiers shouted excitedly.

Mi Zhen’s heart leapt, her embarrassment vanished instantly as she hurried up the wall.

The once fierce enemy was retreating like a tide, abandoning helmets and armor, fleeing in panic toward the shore.

In the distance, dozens of black plumes rose along the coastline—Xu Sheng’s warships, set ablaze by Mi Fang.

On both flanks of the fortress walls, dozens of battle flags rose as drums and battle cries echoed.

Sun Qian and Jian Yong had begun their bluff, now that Mi Fang had successfully burned the ships.

“Xu Sheng has been driven back! Young Master Xiao’s plan truly worked!”

Mi Zhen’s face lit up with joy as she turned to look at Xiao Fang.

At this moment, Xiao Fang sat leisurely, savoring his tea.

“Jinglue Gongzi, may I strike now?” Wei Yan’s eyes blazed with murderous intent, eager to charge forth.

Xiao Fang smiled and nodded.

“Almost. Wen Chang, it’s your turn. Remember, capture Xu Sheng alive.”

Exactly the command Wei Yan awaited, he mounted his horse and brandished his saber.

The fortress gate slowly opened.

Wei Yan led over a hundred private soldiers, surging out to pursue the fleeing enemy.

“Sister-in-law, what should we do now?” Zhuge Liang, seeing everyone lead troops away, felt his blood stir.

“We strategists just move our lips,” Xiao Fang said, “The fighting is for the warriors.”

“Take my advice: don’t worry about what’s not your concern. Sit down and enjoy your tea.”

Xiao Fang poured a bowl of tea for his brother-in-law.

Zhuge Liang sighed and sat down, sharing the tea.

Mi Zhen watched all this from the wall.

“This Young Master Xiao truly is extraordinary…” she murmured, her lashes fluttering as a subtle new expression appeared in her bright eyes.